Explore Blanzac area by bike – cycling the Boucle 7

Spring has finally sprung here in the Charente so it was a joy to have a free afternoon to dust off my bike and explore Boucle 7 on a very uplifting Spring day!

There are 2 choices for this circuit – an easy 18km one (7B) and a difficult one at 43kms (7C) – I chose 7B on this occasion.

Starting at Place des Chaix on the outskirts of Blanzac, you actually miss the centre of the pretty town and it’s facilities, so if you fancy coffee or packing some provisions for the ride, it’s best to detour into the centre and stock up at the Boulangerie or the small supermarket called Contact, as I did. There are really no refreshment opportunities en route.

Head out of town on D7 and look out for a small right turn which is easy to miss as there are lots of other signs on the road…

This first bit is a little suburban but was nice and flat to get my legs warmed up!

After a slight climb through lovely open countryside, I suddenly stumbled upon the stunning 12th century Chapelle des Templiers which is an amazing building and even better, if you’ve over-indulged with coffee in Blanzac like I did, has a spanking brand new outside loo – astonishing for rural France !

After the Chapelle, I kept following the 7B route through a wooded area which climbs and climbs until I finally reached the T junction with the D7 and an amazing view for miles and miles…

And an excuse to get my breath back too!!

Turn right here on the D7 (be a little careful – this is quite a main road) and look out for the right turn on the D46 to Bessac, however it’s really worthwhile detouring the 0.2 km’s actually into Cressac St Genis which is a cute little village with lovely church and Mairie.

I’m so glad I did this – it’s a really sleepy typical Charentais hamlet…

This section is stuffed full of vineyards.

The grapes are probably grown for either Cognac or the yummy Charente aperitif Pineau. French countryside on a stick J

This is a lovely downhill stretch but do make sure you brake in time for the junction (I speak from experience – hah!) and in time to get off to admire the lovely stone bridge, over the river l’Arce.

Almost immediately after the bridge, I took a right turn to Le Grand Pepon and Moulin Barraud – a lovely working mill…

I cycled through more woods and vineyards before getting my first glimpse of the impressive 12th century Eglise de Conzac which stands majestically alone on the right…

After this, there is a magical stretch with vineyards on both sides and wonderful yellow fields of linseed rape.

At the end of this, I reached a T junction with Blanzac signposted 7km’s to the right on the D5. I must admit, the scenery had been so varied, the 11 km’s I’d already ridden seemed to have passed in a flash.

Not long after getting onto the D5, is the tiniest of right turns which I missed the first time. Note to self – look out for the 10T sign next time J

This road has a lovely wooded section with heavy bracken and leads to a pretty dwelling called Les Gouffiers.

Keep left where possible and then look out for a lovely typical Charentais turret on your right. It’s also a beautiful time of the year here in the Charente for cowslips, so rare these days in Britain.

I turned right again to get back on the D5 after this, signposted only 4km’s to Blanzac and cruised into town. It’s a sweet little place with it’s own cinema…

And church/war memorial plus a nice selection of cafes and bars for a well earned beer J

I’m so glad to have done this Boucle – in just 18 km’s, I experienced wonderful old churches/chapels, lovely hamlets, shedloads of vineyards, rivers/mills and a lovely town at the start/end for refreshments – highly recommended.

Experience a bike ride along Boucle 7…

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